Calf-feeder.



No. 670,823. Patentd Mar. 26, l90l.

M. L. SWOPE.

CALF FEEDER.

(Application filed Sept. 12, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

w- I: lllllll No. 670,823. Patented Mar. 26, I90I. M. L. SWOPE.

CALFFEEDER.

(Application filed Sept. 12, 1900.)

(No Model.)

Nth STATES MARTHA L. SWOPE, OF DUN, KANSAS.

CALF-FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,823, dated March 26, 1901.

Application filed September 12, 1900. Serial No. 29,839- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTHA L. Sworn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dun, in the county of Wilson and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Calf-Feeders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and improved method of feeding young calves which have not attained a sufficient development whereby they can procure their own food.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device of the kind mentioned above which will be simple, durable, and yet admit of the removal of the parts for cleaning, repairing, or for other purposes.

The particular features in which my invention consists will be clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forth in the annexed claims.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a feeder constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the feed mechanism on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the strainer. Fig. 5 is a like view of the nipple connection, and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the nipple.

Referring now to the drawings by referencenumerals, 1 designates the receptacle in which the milk or other food will be placed. This receptacle will be preferably rectangular in form and 'will be provided with a hinged cover 2 to exclude dust and other foreign substances. Flanges 3 are also provided, so as to permit the receptacle to be secured upon a suitable support.

4: designates a casting secured to the casing and surrounding an opening 5 in the bottom thereof.

A packing-ring 6 is interposed between the upper face of the casting and the bottom of the receptacle to prevent leakage.

7 designates the concave recess in the top of the casting, in which rests a removable strainer Sto strain the liquid food as it passes down to the right-angular passage 9 and through the vertical passage 10 into the nipple 11, whence it is drawn by the animal.

It will be noticed that at the juncture of the vertical passage with the right-angular passage I provide a transverse internallysorew-threaded recess 12, in which is screwed a valve-stem 13, carrying a valve 14 at its end, which may be seated upon the valveseat 15 or adjusted in relation thereto, so as to completely shut 0d the flow of the food or regulate the discharge.

The reduced extension 16 on the casting is provided with an annular flange 17 on the end thereof, which surrounds the vertical passage 10 and forms a recess 18, in which is secured a hinged valve 19, so arranged as to permit the food to be drawn from the casing, but to close when any upward pressure is exerted by the nipple. A threaded pin 20 is carried by the flange 17 immediately below the free end of the valve, so as to limit the downward movement thereof.

A flanged sleeve 21 is threaded upon the extension 16 of the casting and is designed to force the right-angular flange 22 0f the flexible nipple against the lower end thereof to make a light connection. This sleeve may easily be detached by placing a pair of tongs in contact with the vertical ribs 23 thereof, when the sleeve may be screwed or unscrewed, as occasion may demand. In case the vertical passage 10 should become clogged the nipple and sleeve should be removed, and the pin 20 can be taken out, when the hinged valve will drop down and any foreign substance can readily be removed. In fact, the entire device may be quickly taken apart and the parts assembled should such action be found necessary at any time.

While I have illustrated a casing to which only one nipple is secured, it is obvious that any number might be utilized with good results, if found expedient, and while I have specifically described what to me appears at the time to be the very best manner of accomplishing the desired result I would have it understood that I reserve the right to make such changes and alterations as might suggest themselves to the ordinary mechanic without departing from the spirit of this invention.

I claim- 1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a casing; of a feed mechanism removably secured to said casing,

passages; a removable nipple at the end of one passage, and a hinged valve at the discharge end of said passage; and means for limiting the downward movement of said valve.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARTHA L. SWOPE. Witnesses:

J EMIMA A. KEBER'I, S. P. BROOKS. 

